Leader Ryōko Shaku Chairman Hisshō Yanai | Secretary general Bunkō Katō | |
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Founded 23 May 2009 (2009-05-23) Ideology Happy ScienceConservatismAnti-communismCorporatismAnti-Korean sentimentRussophobia | ||
Japan s loony happiness realization party
The Happiness Realization Party (幸福実現党, Kōfuku Jitsugen-tō), abbreviated as 幸福, is a Japanese political party founded by Ryuho Okawa on 23 May 2009 "in order to offer the Japanese people a third option" for the elections of August 2009. The HRP is the political wing of the conservative and anti-communist Happy Science religious movement.
Contents
- Japan s loony happiness realization party
- we strongly agree osprey syonan ryoma happiness realization party
- Electoral history
- Manifesto
- Administration
- Criticism
- References
Okawa is the current president of the party. One of the stated reasons for establishing the Happiness Realization Party was that neither of the two major parties, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) or the opposing Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), had defined a clear plan to deal with the threats from North Korea's missile testing or how to lift the country out of an economic recession. Lower taxes is one of the party's stated goals.
we strongly agree osprey syonan ryoma happiness realization party
Electoral history
In 2009, the party had 345 candidates, placing it on the ballots of 99% of Japan's 300 constituencies. Many perennial candidates such as Yoshiro Nakamatsu joined the HRP. Despite fielding a total of more than 1 million votes, the party did not win any seats in the election.
In 2012, the party again failed to gain any seats.
Manifesto
According to its manifesto, the group's goal is to more than double Japan's population to 300 million through making child-rearing easier for mothers. Other aims include actively accepting foreigners, taking more responsibility as a world leader, amending the pacifist Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution to be able to guarantee the safety and protection of its people against the military threat of North Korea, to encourage a nuclear-free world, grounded in a spirit of religious tolerance, and introduce a religion education, as they state, that is based on a universal spirit of love, compassion, spirit of self-help and be able to make the distinction between good and evil.
Nevertheless, the group identifies itself as "conservative" and is generally considered a right-wing party. The party advocates a nuclear deterrent for Japan, denies that the Nanking Massacre occurred and has called for China to be expelled from the United Nations Security Council.
That party has even formed links to the American right, having attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2012, and bringing with them members of the Tokyo Tea Party.
Administration
Jay Aeba is, as of May 2012, another leader in the group, with Yuki Oikawa as one of its officials.
Criticism
According to The Japan Times, "for many, the Happies smell suspiciously like a cult". The party has released promotional videos that claim North Korea and China are plotting to invade and colonize Japan after first subduing it through nuclear warfare.